Lawmakers target food assistance fraud

LANSING (AP)  Michigan lawmakers are moving to crack down on store owners who sell lottery tickets and alcohol in exchange for food assistance program benefits.

Under legislation passed 107 to 1 in the Republican-led state House on Thursday, Michigan could suspend or revoke the liquor or lottery ticket sales licenses of stores that let people pay for them using Bridge Cards. The state-issued cards are like debit cards for food assistance.

Republican Rep. Roger Victory of Hudsonville says vendors sometimes provide discounts for people who pay for these items using Bridge Cards. That leads to businesses competing with one another over who offers the best rates.

The amount of such fraud in Michigan is unclear. The measure now goes to the Republican-led Senate.